Friday, August 19, 2005

From Paul Krugman in today's NY Times:"Our current political leaders would suffer greatly if either house of Congress changed hands in 2006, or if the presidency changed hands in 2008. The lids would come off all the simmering scandals, from the selling of the Iraq war to profiteering by politically connected companies. The Republicans will be strongly tempted to make sure that they win those elections by any means necessary. And everything we've seen suggests that they will give in to that temptation."

I fear just how far "any means necessary" may entail. A Washington Times reporter on NPR reiterated the Republicans' now favorite refrain that criticism of the war gives aid and comfort to the enemy. The same logic is extended quickly to criticism of the government at all...

8 comments:

Anonymous
said...

keep saying that I can't wait until the kettle of fish gets smelly enough that they have to do something. I look forward to the history books of this little era we are in. And I agree with Krugman's piece. I am not sure why this post makes me think about this, but bear with my apparently disconnected thoughts for a moment.

Let's talk about our lives in this "nation at war" started by Bush inc. I just paid nearly $3 for a gallon of gas, and suddenly, I am starting to eye the gas gauge a lot more closely. In the meantime, Halliburton is racking in billions in contracts (see Private Warriors from Frontline) and Bush is taking 5 week vacations in between his 3 day vacations.

Sey Hersh is talking oil shock as Iran and Venezuela start to do business and Pat Robertson is calling for the US government to take out (as in assassination of) Chavez. Google News page is running this headline next to a photo of a straight jacket: "Pat Robertson advocates assassination of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez". Let's put Robertson and Zell Miller in a padded cell together. Then they can dual each other.

But in fairness, I was just watching PBS 1940's house. It is reality show format only it traces a family living in a 1940's house in London that is supposed to be during the blitz. Compared to what those people suffered-food shortages and rations, bomb raids, blacked out windows, limited movement, and stiff government control over their lives, we have little to complain about but the rising cost of fuel. We aren't feeling this war in our lives besides the rising cost of fuel and the loss of some other family's young men and women. But people are beginning to get restless. Maybe change is in the air.

I looked up the article about Pat Robertson mentioned by USWest. He says,

“We have the ability to take [Hugo Chavez] out, and I think the time has come that we exercise that ability. You know, I don't know about this doctrine of assassination, but if he thinks we're trying to assassinate him, I think that we really ought to go ahead and do it. It's a whole lot cheaper than starting a war... and I don't think any oil shipments will stop.”

Pat Robertson has really gone and done it this time. He's an embarassment even to other televangelists now (and that's hard to do!) and he should be shepherded into immediate retirement before he damages anything else.

We must remember that it is not because he "said" something that we should be upset--it's not liberal PC police getting ornery--but rather it is because he urges death upon a fellow human being for purely political reasons that he should go. In the "global struggle against violent extremism," Pat Robertson has just declared whose side he's on--and it's not ours.

Incidentally, the Globe and Mail notes that, "he has also said that feminism encourages women to 'kill their children, practise witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians.'" What a lovely guy.

Great point about Robertson being on the wrong side of the "global struggle against violent extremism". I love it when you turn their own words back on them. It makes them a leeetle beet nervous!

I want to point out that things will get worse here as the "war" continues. Today, NPR reported that women in Nigeria blocked Chevron's private port by rowing their boats into it and refusing to move. They were protesting what they saw as unfair treatment of Nigerian oil workers. This is sure to worsen oil shortages. If women in Nigeria can disrupt the supply chain this easily, we are in for a huge life adjustment in this country. Maybe it will be a good thing. Maybe it will get people paying attention.

Democrats need to condemn Robertson openly and not be afraid of offending evangelicals. Anyone who would defend Robertson is beyond hope of redemption anyway. If Dems fail to compare him to the Jihadists, they are failing all of us.

Robertson has also been praying on TV for God to make more openings on the Supreme Court (especially by getting rid of liberals, of course).

I also suspect that under recent British legislation, Pat Robertson would not be granted a visa to enter the United Kingdom (because he advocates violent, religious extremism). Pitty, he wouldn't care to leave what ever backwards place he broadcasts The 700 club from anyway. It would be fun to watch the fur fly over that one.

I agree that the Democrats need to make Pat Robertson "the former Republican Presidential candidate" into the post child for the GOP. The Republicans have successfully done that with Teddy Kennedy. Now the Democrats need to do the same with Pat Robertson.

That the State Department has so quickly and strongly condemned Rev. Robertson is an attempt insulate the White House from the guy without making Bush condemn someone who is probably a long time political ally. The Democrats need to fill the airwaves with lots of pictures of him arm and arm with Bush (Jeb mainly), Bill Frist and any other likely GOP Presidential candidate.

Did you all see Jon Stewart's spoof on Justice Sunday? There was this great moment when Chuck Colson of Prison Fellowship Ministries said that he remembers when he was in a Texas Prison with Tom Delay and he remembers the communion line going forward and "right in the middle of the line was Tom Delay". I wonder if he realizes what he was saying. Pretty funny. So where are the Justice Saturdays: Fight for the Bill of Rights rallies? Why is it that liberals sit back and let groups like TBN broadcast this stuff without retort? And we wonder why the likes of Pat Robertson can make overtures to the populous.

Wait!I need to add something: We need to start a counter prayer movement: we need to pray for the longevity of John Paul Stevens and the cure of Justice Rehnquist. Robertson, is in effect, praying for one of these people to die! So I will gather my Wicca friends together and start a Celtic chanting circle.

You know, being a feminist and all, I might be able to boil up the frog's eyes, add a little whale tail and a few dragon whiskers. It is a lovely brew that when drunk with certain incantations sung by my lesbian friends is guaranteed to bring longevity and health to all who drink.